Taliban claims to have overtaken presidential palace in Kabul

Though the exact situation in the presidential palace in Kabul is unclear, the Taliban has claimed to have taken over the presidential palace, reports BBC. However, there has been no confirmation from government officials.

Local journalist Bilal Sarwary has informed that though Ghani should have joined the transition of power ceremony inside the palace as part of the agreement, he and his senior aides left the country instead.

The Taliban informed a wire that there would be no transitional government following their sweep.

Meanwhile, confusion also persists as to President Ghani's destination. While a senior Interior Ministry official said he has left for Tajikistan, another Foreign Ministry official said his location is unknown, and the Taliban is searching his whereabouts.

A senior Interior Ministry informed that the Taliban occupied Kabul from all sides, and there were reports of sporadic gunfire. As per reports from an NGO which runs a hospital in Kabul, forty have arrived at the hospital, and more casualties are arriving. According to a security alert issued by US Embassy, there are reports of gunfire at Kabul's airport.

"The security situation in Kabul is changing quickly," US officials said.

The Taliban has also issued a statement under the banner of "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan", claiming they have now been permitted to enter Kabul. "The Taliban will secure areas abandoned by Afghan forces in Kabul," said the statement. It sought to assure citizens that the forces will neither enter their homes nor "bother them". 

Afghanistan’s senior diplomat Abdullah Abdullah has informed that President Ashraf Ghani has left the country for Tajikstan as the Taliban closes in on Kabul. Abdullah is the Afghan Chairman of the High Council for National Reconciliation.

“The former Afghan president has left the nation,” Abdullah said in a video on his Facebook page, as reported by Al Jazeera.

Earlier, talks were ongoing between government officials and Taliban representatives at the presidential palace in Kabul. Taliban fighters have reportedly encircled Kabul after capturing 26 of the 34 provincial capitals in the country.

Kabul: The Taliban in a statement said on Sunday said that they have no plan whatsoever to topple the capital city militarily. The statement added that negotiations were underway with the Afghan government for the peaceful surrender of Kabul,

The statement of the insurgent group acknowledged that the fighters have no intention to enter the Afghan capital Kabul and will enter the city peacefully.

The statement reads that Kabul is the most populated city of Afghanistan and the fighters are not allowed to enter the city and are directed to stay out of Kabul's doors.

The statement was published hours after fear and panic spread in the city and people are roaming on the streets.

People seemed to be closing shops and markets and there is no city transportation available in the city, Afghan media reported.

The Afghan Presidential Palace also said in Facebook posts that the situation of Kabul is under control and the Afghan forces are working along with international allies to secure the Afghan capital.

"We reiterate that Afghanistan Islamic Emirate has nothing to do with the civil and military officials in Kabul. We are not seeking revenge and there is general pardon for government officials," said the statement.

The statement further reads that the upcoming Islamic system will comprise all classes and groups in Afghanistan.

 Moscow: 84 Afghan servicemen reportedly crossed the border into Uzbekistan asking for assistance, AP reports as Uzbekistan's Foreign Ministry said on Sunday

According to the report, Uzbek guards detained the group of Afghan military when they crossed the border. The group included three wounded soldiers that needed medical help, the ministry was quoted saying.

The men were offered food and temporary accommodation in Uzbekistan, and the ministry was in touch with Afghan officials regarding the return of Afghan soldiers to their home country.

Taliban fighters and local people pictured along the street in Jalalabad province .Image via AFP

The Chief of Staff to President Ashraf Ghani has taken to his Twitter account to urge the people of Kabul, ‘Please don’t worry. There is no problem. The situation of Kabul is under control.’,reports Al Jazeera

The tweet comes as the Taliban have entered the Afghan capital from all sides and have reportedly made it within a few kilometers of the main city.

President Ghani himself, hasn’t been heard from since he gave a short, pre-recorded address to the nation Saturday afternoon.

Kabul: An Afghan official tells The Associated Press that Taliban negotiators are heading to the presidential palace to prepare for a "transfer" of power.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals quoted as saying on Sunday that the goal was a peaceful handing over of the government to the Taliban.

The Taliban have said they don't plan to take the capital by force.